Azmatullah Omarzai creates Champions Trophy history with maiden fifer in ODIs in must-win England clash

Afghanistan’s star man Azmatullah Omarzai produced a masterclass performance in a do-or-die encounter against England in the Champions Trophy 2025, becoming the first Afghan bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the history of the tournament. His scintillating spell not only destroyed England’s batting order but also kept Afghanistan’s semifinal hopes alive in the closely contested tournament.

Bowling aggressively and with precision, Omarzai tore through England’s middle and top order to finish with the figures of 5/38 in his 10-over stint. His quick pace, clever variations, and well-placed short deliveries made life difficult for England’s batters, who were unable to get any kind of momentum going. The pick of his spell was the crucial dismissal of Jos Buttler, who was appearing dangerous before being sent back by Omarzai with a scintillating outswinger.

England, put into bat first, never quite recovered from the early setbacks, eventually folding for a modest total of 215. Apart from Ben Stokes, who played a fighting knock, no other English batter could withstand Omarzai’s relentless attack. In response, Afghanistan’s batters chased down the target comfortably, securing a famous win that keeps their knockout stage dreams alive.

Omarzai’s historic five-wicket haul not only cemented his place as a key player for Afghanistan but also showcased his ability to shine on the global stage. As Afghanistan gears up for their final league-stage encounter, Omarzai’s performance has given them a massive confidence boost.